Miriam Burns, artistic director and conductor
Jesús Florido, violin

Stravinsky ~ Concerto in Eb (Dumbarton Oaks)

Claudia Montero ~ Violin Concerto (DC Premiere)

Juan Arboleda ~ “Poema En Cuatro Tiempos” for Violin and Strings (DC Premiere)

Schubert ~ Symphony No. 5 in Bb

The musicians of Paragon Philharmonia with artistic director and conductor, Miriam Burns, are excited to make our Kennedy Center debut with violinist Jesús Florido.

Argentinian composer Claudia Montero (1962-2021) was a four-time Latin GRAMMY award winner. Her Violin Concerto features the vibrant tango rhythms and melodies that create the indisputable "Buenos Aires" sound found in her compositions. Paragon Philharmonia is also thrilled to partner with Jesús Florido to present the premiere of “Poemas En Cuatro Tiempos” by GRAMMY-nominated Colombian composer Juan Arboleda.

The Stravinsky Chamber Concerto in Eb also had its world premiere here in Washington DC some 85 years ago, nicknamed “Dumbarton Oaks Concerto” since its private debut was in the music room of the historic Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown; residence of US diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred Barnes Bliss. Nadia Boulanger conducted the premiere since Stravinsky had contracted tuberculosis. Stravinsky was greatly influenced by the Brandenburg Concerti of J. S. Bach, and this piece is a prime example of his neoclassical style.Unmistakably influenced by the music of Mozart, particularly the 40th Symphony featured earlier in our season, Schubert’s delightful 5th Symphony closes the program.

The World and US premieres of Juan Arboleda’s “Poema en Cuatro Tiempos” and Claudia Montero’s Violin Concerto will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Grace Episcopal Church, The Plains, VA where Paragon Philharmonia is Ensemble-in-Residence.